Multnomah County is one of eight communities around the country participating in the US Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Initiative, a national initiative aimed at addressing children’s exposure to violence as both direct victims and as witnesses. The goals of the initiative are to prevent exposure to violence, mitigate the negative impacts of exposure when it does occur, and develop knowledge and spread awareness about this issue.

Children are more likely to be exposed to violence than adults. According to the Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey, almost 40% of American children were direct victims of two or more violent acts, and one in ten children were victims of violence five or more times. The consequences of this victimization are significant and widespread.  Children’s exposure to violence, whether as victims or witnesses, is often associated with long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm. Children exposed to violence are also at a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior later in life and becoming part of a cycle of violence.

In Multnomah County, the initiative will support a one-year planning process with a strong consortium of agencies in our community that are currently working with children or working to prevent violence. The planning process will result in a comprehensive strategic plan to prevent and respond to children’s exposure to violence.

For more information, contact Erin Fairchild at erin.fairchild@multco.us or call 503-988-4995.